HP’s New Chromebook Comes with Touch Screen and Support for Android Apps

Chromebooks have been picking the pace and with the introduction of Android apps for ChromeOS, the adoption rate is only expected to go higher. HP has unveiled a new Chromebook lineup that would leverage the capability to run Android apps.

The HP Chromebook 11 G5 runs Android app and also embraces a touchscreen display, a first for Chromebook. The touch-enabled display is expected to bring in a whole new level of possibilities especially after considering the fact that Android apps and games were originally meant for smartphones with a touch screen.

The HP Chromebook 11 G5 comes fitted with an 11.6-inch display set at a resolution of 1,366 x 768 resolution and will draw the power from Intel Celeron N3060 Braswell processor. Furthermore, the Chromebook will be available in both 2GB RAM/16GB Internal Storage and 4GB RAM/32GB Storage. Just like most of the previous Chromebooks, the G5 is light at 2.6 pounds and is expected to return a battery life of up to 12.5-hours. On the connectivity front, the laptop heralds with Bluetooth 4.2, USB 3.1 ports, HDMI 1.4 port, microSDXC card slot and a usual 3.5-mm audio jack.

At this point of time, it is only Asus Flip Chromebook that is allowing its users to access the Android apps and considering the fact that Google is still working to make it compatible across the Chromebook line-up it’s just a matter of sooner or later. HP has also managed to keep the base prices for the G5 Chromebook low, at $189 the Chromebook just makes so much more sense. The caveat, however, is that the touchscreen is optional and would cost a premium over the base variant. The HP Chromebook G5 will be available across select HP retail partners starting from this October.

Mahit Huilgol Senior Author Mahit Huilgol is a Mechanical Engineering graduate and is a Technology and Automobile aficionado. He ditched the Corporate boardroom wars in the favor for technology battle ground. Also a foodie by heart and loves both the edible chips and the non-edible silicon chips.